Aids and Exercise

(Note: Because of the unique nature of the “arm rubbing/pounding” conditioning exercises in Uechi-ryu, I asked one of my medical doctor students to do some research into the dangers of contracting Aids from the practice of these drills. He gave me the following information.) GEM

The cumulative epidemiologic data indicates that transmission of AIDS requires direct intimate contact with or intravenous innoculation of blood and blood products, semen or tissues. The mere presence of or casual contact with an infected person cannot be construed as exposure to AIDS. Although the theoretical possiblity of rare or low risk alternative modes of transmission cannot be totally excluded, these are not documented in the medical literature.

The major mode of transmission is sexual. Also important is intravnous transmission by shared needles. AIDS is not transmitted by casual contact, fecal-oral or airborne routes or by contaminated food or drinking water.

People are at risk of AIDs to the extent that they are exposed to blood and certain bodily fluids. The AIDS virus has been isolated from blood, semen, saliva, tears, urin, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, breast milk and amniotic fluid but only blood and blood products, semen, vaginal secretions and possibly breast milk have been directly linked to transmissionof AIDS.

Contact with saliva, tears and sweat has not been shown to result in infection. The virus is not capatible of penetrating intact skin but infection may result from infectious material coming into contact with mucus membranes or open wounds (including inapparent lesions) on the skin.

In general the source of the virus in the body fluids other than blood is lymphocytes. All body fluids that contain lymphocytes can harbor the virus. Sweat does not contain lymphocytes.

The AIDS virus can live outside the body for up to an hour but in general survives only minutes. Fresh blood must encounter an open would in order for infection to be spread during routine exercise.

Factors included in the evaluation of risk include the type of body fluid with which there may be contact, the volume of fluid to be encountered, the probability of exposure taking place, the probable route of exposure and the virus concentration in the fluid or tissues.

If the normal routine does not involve exposure to blood or body fluids which carry the AIDS virus, (although situations can be imagined or hypothesized under which anyone, anywhere might encounter potential exposure to body fluids) but does involve handling of implements or utensils, use of public or shared bathroom facilites or telephones and personal contact such as handshaking or arm rubbing, no protective equipment is required.

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